First steps to space

For Alexander's fifth birthday, we are planning a space party. As he has a January birthday, he doesn't get to spend it at school - so we had to get the invites out to his kinder friends before term finishes- another pre-christmas job!

Cardboard cut outs and glitter - but then we needed a photo....a bit of crayon on the window...

And the final product. We decided to laminate them to stop the glitter going everywhere. I kept seeing little bits on my face.

Aussie Boy

Dashing through the bush

In a rusty Holden ute

Kicking up the dust

Esky in the boot

Kelpie by my side

Singing Christmas songs

Its summer time and I am in

my singlet shorts and thongs oh

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,

Jingle all the way

Christmas in Australia on a

scorching summers day - phew

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Christmas time is beaut

Oh what fun it is to ride

in a rusty holden ute!

A busy day today - (with 2 long posts!) Alexander had his Christmas concert at kinder - where he was an aussie boy. Tragically authentic outfit drawn purely from existing items!

He also 'acted" in the play of Wombat Divine as a wombat.

After the concert, we got a bag of goodies which proves they have been very very busy at kinder of late.

Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday to Benji and Spencer. It was two years ago today that you were born - a much more pleasant visit to Monash Medical Centre than our recent one! I can't believe you have ony been in our lives for two years - it seems like you have always been here. I do remember thinking how we were going to cope with two new additions to our family, and now I wonder how we would ever live without you. While our lives are always busy, most of the time it is always fun.

Spencer is a sensitive and loving little boy. He loves hugs and kisses and his deep chesty laugh always makes me giggle. He is getting chattier and I can't wait to have real conversations with himu, as you are always watching and taking things in. If your current interests shape your future, I imagine we will have lots of chats about footy, soccer and any sport involving a ball!

Benji is a cheeky little man, who will fake being asleep if he thinks he is going to get into trouble. Always the first out of bed, and into Spencers, he has a twinkle in his eye that lets me know he is concocting a plan! He is always up to something and loves being around people. He is always making sure that everyone else is ok. I love the way his smile takes over your whole face, but I can live without the tanties! You are both such individuals and such little sweeties.

We had our usual birthday morning presents in our bed - which is already getting squishy. My plan of colour coding worked fairly well - just Dad is a bit slow on the uptake. Benji's gifts are wrapped in blue and Spencer's in red (I have green of the same paper for Xander) and those gifts to share are half and half. Alexander helped make drawstring bags for the boys to carry their trains in, and he made paper to wrap them in. I think it is very important to get the kids involved in giving as well as receiving, however as I was going to sleep last night, I thought maybe the twins need to give each other something - as they are brothers too? Another dilema to overcome!

We had Mum, Dad and Paul over for dinner and Spencer's eyes have gone down significantly since this morning which is great. They got a train set which was enjoyed by all. A lovely end to a lovely day.

(This may just be the christmas photo- cropped the cake out and include more tree (sans decorations) but not so keen about being in it!!!)

Health Update

The anti-hystermine worked and the swelling started to reduce. The pharmacist told me it would take a few days to totally go away. We are off to OUR GP to do a double check, but we don't know what bit him or when. The biggest problem was that he wasn't in any pain or showing any signs of discomfort at all. When he looked SO awful and acted so normally it is hard to grasp. Thanks for your concern - we are all doing better today.

Not a pleasant visit

So I was updating my blog yesterday when the boys woke from a long nap. Benji was happy and normal. Spencer seemed fine however when I looked at him my heart started racing. Somehow his head had swollen and the left side of his forehead was significantly. I had no idea what had caused it, but he could walk, talk and didn't seem to be in any pain. As I was home by myself late on a Saturday afternoon, I called the ambulance and started to get the boys ready to leave. Of course mobiles being as they are - the big squirrel wasn't answering his but I got on to my parents and they were heading over to look after the kids. There is only room for one extra child in an ambulance, not two.

While Alexander was in a panic and trying to calm him down, the paramedic talked through Spencer's symptoms and suggested we did not need the ambulance rather a GP on call or a clinic visit. I was anxious to find out the cause - now a suspected insect bite - so we went to a local 24 hour clinic. The big squirrel and I sat with Spence for an hour, and paid an additional $35 to see a "GP". I have never felt so insulted in my life - Spencer looked like the elephant man, and while we were concerned - we were not irrational. It was however Saturday night and I didn't want to end up in emergency... I asked him lots of questions and he said to us "is this all you are concerned about - this bump?" He offered no treatment - not even to suggest an icepack and sent us on our way. I was not really happy with that, but thought if he is that blase we must really be warped.

Back at home he ate his dinner, and while he was a little more sedate than usual - nothing of note - but the swelling appeared to be getting worse. I called nurse on call (who know me quite well now) and they are a fabulous service. They talk through the symptoms and suggest what may occur and what to do if that does happen. She suggested an antihystemine (sp??) would reduce the swelling and stop any inflamation of his throat. The GP had not mentioned anything of the sort. Of course when I got to the chemist they had just shut - albeit a couple of minutes early.

So we soldiered on, following the advice to check on him overnight. When we woke him he could not open his left eye for swelling. So we had to call the ambulance.

They came quickly and quietly (not disturbing the other sleeping beauties) and we were off for a ride. That is pretty scary but he coped well. At monash we were seen quickly and put into a cubicle. The doctors, nurses and other staff were fantastic. My fears seemed justified when the paramedics suggested he go to hospital where he was given antihystemine - which we now have on hand! We were discharged around 1:20 am and the taxi came around 3:15. So we have a groggy swollen boy and two tired but very thankful parents.

Another try

We were up early today, as is sadly becoming the norm around here. The boys were still tired but sitting up on the couch together I thought I would give the photo another try. Ticks a few boxes but I dont think the shortie jammies are what they want sent out to our friends and family. It may not be a problem now but in the future........
The other outing of the day was to Darn Cheap Fabrics. I don' t know if it is just because they have such great bargains, but I always come home with so much stuff. There is some serious sewing required!

this was all $2 a meter with the exception of the denim which is for my aprons as drawstring bags. Everything is 15o wide. If we work clockwise from the top left - the fawn is a stretch which I am going to make all the boys pants. The black is a crushed jersy which is earmarked for a top and skirt for me. The stripe is a nice 2 way knit which may be a dress- not sure yet - may end up in the pile. The green and fawn is a stretch poplin for shirts for the twins. The grey dots is a sheer mesh which I think will be a top, again not really sure - but it was all darn cheap and had to come home with me. Lucky when they do go to sleep it is for a few hours so I can be at the machine!!

More Photos...

There are quite a lot of people that we are only in contact with at christmas time. This is sad I know, but at this time I like to send a photo of the boys. They grow so quickly that it gives people an indication of what we are dealing with.

So, the challenge is trying to get a photograph of three children all together, all looking in the same direction, all smiling and all looking presentable. This combination remains elusive to me. Today the twins were riding their taxi bike together so I grabbed the camera. Alexander is easier to get into a picture as at almost 5 he is directable. There was nice light and it was on.

The problem was they were facing the wrong way, and everywhere I looked the background was so junky it was depressing. Mum tried to help me, but ended up distracting them. We this is the best we got!
Then as she left we got this one on the front porch. They are together and looking and somewhat smiling, but cant say they tick the presentable box for me. Oh I forgot, I actually want a christmas theme too, but today that was too much to ask!!